Divisional Round Picks and Thoughts on Those Dreadful Bengals
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| Giovani Bernard's fumble was the turning point last Sunday, which turned out to be the Bengals last game of the season. (Tom Uhlman/AP Photo) |
This was supposed to be Marvin Lewis' best team, but they sure didn't play like it.
The blame falls on the head coach and now fans want Marvin out of Cincinnati. Here's why.
Lewis is 0-5 in the playoffs and just 90-85-1 overall in 11 seasons as head coach. That might be good enough for Mike Brown, but in the NFL, that just isn't good enough.
Andy Dalton was supposed to be better in 2013. He played great at times, but when it mattered most, he made too many mistakes. Now he has lost the trust of the fans, but worst of all, the trust of his own teammates. Questions about whether Dalton is the guy to get this team to the Super Bowl will be asked all offseason.
I saw the graphic below on ESPN and thought to myself, what would the outcome have been on Sunday, had Colin Kaepernick been under center for the Bengals? Would the Bengals have been in the Super Bowl last year playing against Andy and the 49ers? We will never know, but the playoff numbers between Dalton and Kaepernick are staggering.
What A Difference a Pick Makes
Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick may forever be linked, as the Bengals selected Dalton one pick ahead of the Niners' star in the second round of the 2011 draft. Since then, the two players have had different playoff fates.| Category | Dalton | Kaepernick |
|---|---|---|
| W-L | 0-3 | 3-1 |
| Pass YPG | 239.3 | 256.3 |
| Rush YPG | 19.3 | 90.5 |
| TD-Int | 1-6 | 5-3 |
| Total QBR | 17.5 | 87.9 |
Cincinnati was supposed to have two of the best coordinators in the NFL. Instead, the coaching staff was out coached. Jay Gruden's play calling was head scratching and Mike Zimmer's defense gave up 196-yards on the ground. Both Gruden and Zimmer are interviewing for other head coaching vacancies and I hope Gruden lands a head coaching gig. I think this offense would be better off with a new philosophy and new scheme -- my buddy, Cris Freese, mentioned that running backs coach and former Oakland Raiders head coach, Hue Jackson, would be a good candidate. We talked about that on Wednesday and sure enough, it happened.
Gruden was hired by the Redskins on Thursday to be their head coach and Hue Jackson will take over the play calling duties for the Bengals. Jackson has offensive coordinator experience at USC back in the late '90s and also at the pro level in Atlanta, Washington and Oakland. I think he will do a great job and it's just nice to see a change being made. The Bengals certainly needed something to change.
I wish Gruden the best of luck, but honestly, I think Redskins owner Dan Snyder made the wrong choice. I could be wrong, but I do not see things in Washington getting any better next season.
As for Zimmer, the fans want him to be the next head coach of the Bengals -- he is a front runner for the Minnesota job at the moment -- and I would have to agree with them. Marvin Lewis, much like Dusty Baker, has worn out the fanbase in Cincinnati. Whether Mike Brown will pull the plug on Marvin or not is up in the air. I predict that Marvin Lewis is still the coach of the Bengals in 2014, but fans better hope I'm wrong.
The 2013 Cincinnati Bengals may have won 11 games and the AFC North, but like the last 23 seasons of Bengals football, this season ended in failure.
The offseason will be full of questions and it will be interesting to see how the 2014 Cincinnati Bengals will take shape. As a fan, I have to wonder if I'll ever see my team win the Super Bowl, yet alone a playoff game.
Divisional Round Picks (Home team in CAPS)
SEATTLE over New Orleans: Don't expect the Saints to get blown out 34-7 like they did back in Week 13 at Seattle. New Orleans is coming off a very impressive win in Philadelphia and I think they will give Seattle a very good game. The Seahawks are so good at home though and with them having home-field advantage I would be surprised if they don't represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Sean Payton will have a good offensive game plan drawn up for the game and Rob Ryan's defense will play well, but it won't be enough as Seattle advances to the NFC Championship. Seahawks 27, Saints 20.
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| Andrew Luck and the Colts had a lot of things, including fumbles, fall their way last weekend against the Chiefs. (Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY) |
Also, the receiving core isn't full of Pro Bowl talent like it has been in the past. Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman are decent receivers, but Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Josh Boyce, Austin Collie, and Michael Hoomanawanui probably wouldn't be on many rosters in the NFL. Not to mention, the Patriots best receiver, Rob Gronkowski, is on injured reserve too. Brady may not have the best numbers this season, but what he has been able to do with this group is sensational.
Andrew Luck and the Colts are a dangerous team and are capable of coming back if they fall behind; the Kansas City Chiefs found that out last week. Brady and Belichick are tough to beat at home and what football fan -- other than Colts and Chargers fans -- wouldn't you want to see an AFC Championship between Brady and Manning? Patriots 24, Colts 21.
San Francisco over CAROLINA: San Francisco won't win this game because of their defense or because of their rushing attack. Okay, maybe defense and running the ball will help, but the 49ers will win this game because Colin Kaepernick is better than Cam Newton. Kaepernick has beaten the Packers in the playoffs twice because of his legs and he was a key reason why the 49ers went to the Super Bowl last year. Carolina has a great defense and they beat the 49ers in San Francisco, 10-9, in Week 10. Cam Newton has never played in a playoff game though and he will face a very tough San Francisco defense in his first game. Expect a very physical and low scoring game, but I like the 49ers to advance to the NFC Championship for the third-straight year. 49ers 20, Panthers 16.
DENVER over San Diego: One year ago, Peyton Manning and the Broncos looked like they were headed to the AFC Championship. Then, Rahim Moore misplayed a deep ball thrown by Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and allowed Jacoby Jones to walk into the endzone with 31 seconds left in overtime. Denver would eventually lose in the second overtime. Manning and the Broncos have too good of a season to let in end in the divisional round of the playoffs for a second-straight year.
At 37 years of age and after multiple neck surgeries, Peyton Manning had arguably the best season in his Hall of Fame career in 2013. Manning threw for an NFL record 5,477-yards and 55 touchdowns leading the Broncos to the best record in the AFC and setting the mark for most points scored in a season with 606 points. As if his résumé didn't have enough great accomplishments already.
I would be stunned if San Diego won at Denver for a second time; they beat the Broncos 27-20 back in Week 15. The Chargers are hot right now, winners of five straight, but I think the Broncos will be well rested and ready to play. Broncos 38, Chargers 27.
Last Week: 2-2
Playoffs: 2-2
Overall: 164-96
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